Twins Chat Notes

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Anthony Franco on MLB Trade rumors had a Twins-centric chat last Friday.  The transcript can be found here:
https://live.jotcast.com/chat/twins-outlook-23-16688.html

A few takeaways:
- He doesn't believe Gordon will stay on the 40-man through the winter.
- He thinks 4/$72 for Gray is low, but not unreasonable.
- He likes MAT back at 2/$15

Decent five minute read...

[jaimedude]

I would like to see Michael A Taylor back with the Twins. His defense was a welcome addition this season and saved us from having a merry go round in Center Field, and Jake Cave.

[RpR]

Interesting read but the point was made if Polanco is still around he plays 2nd, not Julien and Julien at first is a butt clenching matter.

[nicksaviking]

4 hours ago, jaimedude said:

I would like to see Michael A Taylor back with the Twins. His defense was a welcome addition this season and saved us from having a merry go round in Center Field, and Jake Cave.

Taylor's power breakout was nice, but he had a .278 OBP and a 32% K rate, and those numbers dropped to .261 and 36% in High Leverage situations. Overall he was huge offensive liability and a major contributor to the team continually failing to drive in runners in scoring position.

I know he isn't one of the obvious problems, but he was secretly a big one, I think they desperately need to find another solution next year.

[Brandon]

4 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Taylor's power breakout was nice, but he had a .278 OBP and a 32% K rate, and those numbers dropped to .261 and 36% in High Leverage situations. Overall he was huge offensive liability and a major contributor to the team continually failing to drive in runners in scoring position.

I know he isn't one of the obvious problems, but he was secretly a big one, I think they desperately need to find another solution next year.

He is likely the 2nd best free agent CF in free agency this offseason.  If he can hit for power and run the bases well he can hold his own as a number 9 hitter.  But I think he could get his on base average back over .300 but may hit fewer HRs too.  But near elite defense makes a near 100 OPS + hitter a solid player.  I’m not saying we necessarily resign him.  We still have Gordon and Castro for CF if Buxton can’t play.  But bringing him back should be an option too.  

[Fire Dan Gladden]

15 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Taylor's power breakout was nice, but he had a .278 OBP and a 32% K rate, and those numbers dropped to .261 and 36% in High Leverage situations. Overall he was huge offensive liability and a major contributor to the team continually failing to drive in runners in scoring position.

I know he isn't one of the obvious problems, but he was secretly a big one, I think they desperately need to find another solution next year.

The discussion here is whether or not MAT will be a starting CF vs a 4th OF.  On a strong offensive team, he can be your 8th/9th guy because his defense is so valuable.

The Twins brough him in as insurance for Buxton.  I am not sure we could have done better for the cost.  If the expectation is for Buxton to play 120 games in CF next year, the Twins approach to MAT would be different.  If they know for sure Buxton will not be available, you start looking for a higher end player.  Personally, for the cost, I would bring him back for the exact same reasons they signed him last year.  We just don't know about Buxton.

[nicksaviking]

12 hours ago, Brandon said:

He is likely the 2nd best free agent CF in free agency this offseason.  If he can hit for power and run the bases well he can hold his own as a number 9 hitter.  But I think he could get his on base average back over .300 but may hit fewer HRs too.  But near elite defense makes a near 100 OPS + hitter a solid player.  I’m not saying we necessarily resign him.  We still have Gordon and Castro for CF if Buxton can’t play.  But bringing him back should be an option too.  

The defense wasn't a problem last year, the offense was. The positives that Taylor brought to the table were nice, but they were a luxury that didn't outweigh the negatives, and that's because the negatives were doubling and tripling down on what the Twins were already struggling with.

Even if a guy like Austin Martin struggled overall offensively, he would put up a well over .300 OPS and well under 30% K rate in his sleep, and those are the two areas this team needs to concentrate on offensively. This offense cannot function with 44% of their lineup striking out 30% of the time, and Taylor is by far the easiest of the guilty parties to part with.

[Brandon]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

The defense wasn't a problem last year, the offense was. The positives that Taylor brought to the table were nice, but they were a luxury that didn't outweigh the negatives, and that's because the negatives were doubling and tripling down on what the Twins were already struggling with.

Even if a guy like Austin Martin struggled overall offensively, he would put up a well over .300 OPS and well under 30% K rate in his sleep, and those are the two areas this team needs to concentrate on offensively. This offense cannot function with 44% of their lineup striking out 30% of the time, and Taylor is by far the easiest of the guilty parties to part with.

I’m fine with keeping him or letting him walk.  I think he does have value as a CF.  I think the offense improves with a full season from everyone and the eventual additions of Martin and Lee. So we can live with Taylor’s weaknesses.